To sustain Hong Kong as a clean and fair society, the ICAC has spared no efforts in passing on to the young generations the many positive values that are to shape their lives as honored men and women in future.
A recent local survey found that over 70 per cent of Hong Kong parents have established a reading routine with their children and most of them prefer picture books or comic strips. While the ICAC appreciates that the concept of “corruption” may not be easily understood by children, we believe positive values such as honesty, fairness, self-discipline and responsibility can be learnt through games and storytelling. Hence this summer saw the launching of the Commission’s latest initiative “Reading for Integrity” moral education programme, featuring a series of picture books customised for kindergarten and primary school students.
With the joint efforts of parenting experts and local illustrators, the ICAC picture books depict everyday scenes, as well as shops, transports and animals with which young children are familiar. Through simple narratives, positive values such as sharing, caring, fairness, rule-abiding, honesty and responsibility are introduced and explained. Reference materials and post-reading activities are also recommended for teachers, parents and their kids in the picture books.
Young local artists Jess Lau and Lam Kin-choi, two of the authors and illustrators of the picture books, found the post-reading activities particularly inspiring.
“These activities may serve as a continuation of the stories and allow children to personally experience similar circumstances presented in the books. Through their own participation, children will have a better understanding of the underlying messages and may put what they have learnt into action in their daily lives,” Lau said.
The picture books have been distributed to all nursery schools, kindergartens, primary schools, local education bodies and public libraries. Electronic copies of the picture books are also available on the ICAC’s Moral Education Web for parents and children to read at home during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Starting from this academic year, the ICAC, together with moral education experts, will also host workshops and school talks on storytelling skills for parents and teachers.
Later in December, a multi-facet ICAC reading gala, featuring moral education games, exhibition of student artworks, story-telling as well as reading sessions will be held to further disseminate the probity message to young generations. Stay tuned for further updates.
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